While all three indexes remain on track for a ninth-consecutive weekly win, daily performances leaned more muted. The Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 inched higher, while overall trading volume remained light as Wall Street rounds out another calendar year. The latter captured a multi-year high of $4,785 -- within arms' reach of its Dec. 2021 record peak.

GOLD HITS 3-WEEK HIGHS AS BOND YIELDS FALL

Shipment and supply drama continues to unfold and is being watched closely, sending oil futures lower for today's trading. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for February delivery dropped $1.46, or 1.9%, to settle at $74.11 a barrel. 

In anticipation of 2024 interest rate cuts, bond yields and the U.S. dollar dragged lower, sending gold surging to three-week highs. February-dated gold futures are up $23.30, or 1.1%, at $2,093.10.  

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